Considering my being a young writer, it is my deepest hope that these “tips” may reach out to aspiring writers that would like to venture into the forays of journalism or book writing. It helped in my case so it’s my duty to impart to those who want to learn the art of writing. So here is my top five advise.

1. Write, write and write
   The best way to write is….well…write. Just write your piece. Don’t worry about what people may think of your work. So long as it is completed and ready to publish then please do go ahead and publish it. There is more room for editing later on. And if you are truly worried about your English or grammar do note that this will take time and practice. You don’t just go Shakespeare over one writing. You do it in the course of hundreds of articles or essays. Let the dictum “practise makes perfect” be your guiding force. Because there is no other way to master a subject other than ruthless hard work. Malcom Gladwell put it well in his book “Outliers”, you’ll only master your subject once you put in your 10,000 hours into it. (In setting up a blog, I’d recommend Wordpress.)
2. On Grammar. So what?
   The idea that you are not a natural born “orang puteh” does not mean that your English is automatically bad. On the contrary, it gives you the opportunity to practise. To get that feedback of improvement and to get an understanding on the English language in the course of your adventures is the best feeling of all, believe me. Was it not Lao Tzu who told us that the reward is in the journey itself? But do improve your grammar by investing in Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. That book will be an English teacher you never had. One of the takeaways from that book is to use an “active voice” in your writings. It’s like imagining yourself having a conversation with the reader as you write your piece. That connection is important.
3. Finish your draft first. Then polish it.
   Yes, it is okay to produce a horrible first draft. No author imaginable could produce in one single sitting the Great Gatsby, Selfish Gene, or Othello. It takes much time, editing and research to produce those work. But it is much easier to do those things after you finish your first draft. Mario Puzo, in writing Godfather, did not even know a nickel about the Mafia until he revised his first draft (Fun fact: His inspiration for those Don Corleones was his sweet but ruthless mother). But eventually, as all writers do, he polished his work, and went on to publish one of the best-selling novels of all time. The key takeaway here is you don’t edit while you are doing your first draft. Otherwise you’d get analysis paralysis or writer’s block. And that is the worst experience of all writers.
4. Read, Read a lot.
   Stephen King, on his seminal book “On Writing”(highly recommended), recounted how he psychologically face-palmed countless times whenever he heard aspiring writers who are not willing to read. ‘If you do not have the time to read, then you do not have the time to write’ King said. In the course of my ‘career’, I have read close to 300+ books, Ryan Holiday, 5000+! Reading will not only enhance your style but it will build up your wisdom and sharpen your prose. Another advise, inspired by Stephen Koch in his book Modern Library, is to read on a subject on what you “know”. Meaning if you intend to write about Crime Thrillers, you’d read Sidney Sheldon’s Master of the Game; Science Fiction, Orson Scott’s Ender’s Game; Romance, EL James’ 50 Shades of Grey (J.K., but seriously). Only with these stock of ‘knowledge’ or ideas will you be able to write, well.
5. Tell the Truth
   Writing is about telling the “Truth”. That is your ultimate duty as a writer. So do not be surprised when you encounter trolls or well-thought but totally misdirected people along the way who would want to undermine that “truth”. And no, I don’t encourage absolute ignorance, I’m advocating selective ignorance. How many dreams have been shattered by negative comments, I dare not count. How many people thought AMO Times was a pretentious website, I’d say to hell with them. So my advise to you, aspiring writers, is to build within yourself a heart of metal, to write on what you believe is true, and to build whatever thoughts that come into your way. “Art is long,” said Hippocrates “life is short”. So publish your art and let it forever change history.

Abdul Malik Omar is a Bruneian writer and the founder of AMO Times, the nation’s prominent youth onilne blog. His writings have been featured in Brunei Times, Investvine.com, AdventAsia.com, and Bloggers without Borders.